Entertainment: I really don’t want to be a thief!

Chapter 737 The Male Lead Must Be You

The crew's box lunches were simple but tasted good. Lin Ke and Director Zhang ate and chatted, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

"Lin Ke, let me tell you, after finishing this drama, I plan to prepare a new movie. I have already written the script, and you are the first person I thought of for the male lead. How about it, are you interested in working with me?" Director Zhang suddenly put down his chopsticks and said to Lin Ke seriously.

Lin Ke was slightly stunned. He didn't expect Director Zhang to suddenly invite him to be the leading actor in a new movie.

"Director Zhang, you think too highly of me. I'm afraid I won't perform well and fail to live up to your expectations." Lin Ke said hesitantly.

"Don't give me that, kid. Don't I know your acting skills?" Director Zhang glared at Lin Ke. "Let me tell you, I have spent several years polishing the script of this play. The male lead must be you. If you refuse, you are not giving me face!"

Lin Ke looked at Director Zhang's serious expression and knew that he really wanted to work with him, and that this play was also a good opportunity for him.

"Okay, Director Zhang, I promise you." Lin Ke nodded with a smile.

"Click!" Director Zhang slapped his thigh suddenly and stood up from the folding chair, startling everyone around him.

"What's wrong, Director Zhang?" Wang Xinxin asked hurriedly. She was putting on makeup again, and when she heard the voice, she no longer cared about being neat. She just smeared some lipstick with the back of her hand and trotted to Director Zhang.

"Why can't this line be passed in this scene again?" Director Zhang frowned and pointed at the monitor screen, his tone full of anxiety and helplessness.

The screen was replaying the clip just filmed. In the picture, Wang Xinxin was wearing a royal blue cheongsam, which outlined her exquisite figure. Her hair was piled high, revealing her slender white neck. Her every move and gesture showed the elegance and charm of a woman in the Republic of China.

Her opposite is a young actor named Zhou Zixuan, who plays a rich young man who has returned from studying abroad. He falls in love with the "extraordinary woman of the Republic of China" played by Wang Xinxin at first sight and embarks on a romantic pursuit.

Logically speaking, the combination of handsome men and beautiful women should be pleasing to the eye, but for some reason, Zhou Zixuan's performance is always unsatisfactory.

There are big problems with his delivery of lines and expression management. His eyes are erratic and his tone is stiff and artificial. He totally lacks the suave and gentle temperament of the character he plays.

"How many times has this been? Five times? Or six times?" Director Zhang rubbed his temples, feeling a headache.

"This is the seventh time, Director Zhang." The script supervisor at the side reminded in a low voice.

"The seventh time? Oh my god!" Director Zhang couldn't help but wail, "I've done seven NGs, how come there's still no improvement?"

Wang Xinxin was also a little helpless. It was not that she could not understand the pressure and nervousness of new actors, but Zhou Zixuan's performance could no longer be described as "nervous". It was as if he was deliberately NGing.

"Director Zhang, how about... taking a break?" Wang Xinxin suggested, "I think Zixuan doesn't seem to be in good condition. Let him adjust himself. Maybe he will be fine after a while."

"That's all we can do." Director Zhang sighed and waved his hand, "Take a ten-minute break and continue in ten minutes!"

The crew members immediately got busy, some touching up the actors' makeup, some adjusting the lights and cameras. The whole set suddenly became like a pot of boiling water, extremely lively and bustling.

Lin Ke sat aside and watched all this, nodding his head secretly. Although he was not a director, he had participated in many film and television works, so he naturally understood how much effort and sweat it took to create a good work.

"Xinxin, what's wrong? You look so sad." Lin Ke walked to Wang Xinxin, handed her a bottle of water, and asked with concern.

"Oh, don't mention it." Wang Xinxin took the water, unscrewed the cap and took a sip, then sighed deeply, "It's still that Zhou Zixuan. His acting is really terrible. He almost drives me crazy."

"He seems very nervous. Is this his first time acting?" Lin Ke asked.

"It's not his first time. He has acted in several web dramas before, but they were all small roles and he didn't have much experience." Wang Xinxin explained, "I heard that he was able to get this role this time because his family invested money in the drama, so Director Zhang reluctantly agreed to let him act."

"So that's how it is." Lin Ke suddenly realized. No wonder Zhou Zixuan's acting skills were so poor. It turned out that he was a "relative".

"But don't worry too much. Director Zhang is famous for his strictness. If Zhou Zixuan continues like this, even if his family is rich, Director Zhang will not let him continue acting." Lin Ke comforted.

"I hope so." Wang Xinxin smiled bitterly, but she didn't hold much hope in her heart.

Ten minutes later, filming continued.

However, Zhou Zixuan's performance still showed no improvement, the number of NGs increased instead, and Director Zhang's face became more and more ugly.

"Cut! Stop, stop, stop!" Director Zhang finally couldn't stand it anymore and stopped the filming again, "Zhou Zixuan, what's wrong with you? Acting is not about reciting lines, you have to feel the character with your heart and understand the character. Look at what you are acting now? You are just a walking corpse!"

Zhou Zixuan was scolded by Director Zhang, and his face suddenly became very ugly, but due to Director Zhang's majesty, he did not dare to refute. He could only lower his head and muttered softly: "I'm sorry, Director Zhang, I will pay attention next time."

"Next time? Is there a next time? Do you know how much time you've wasted? How much progress you've delayed?" Director Zhang said angrily. "Let me tell you, the filming schedule for this drama is very tight. We don't have time to waste here. If you keep doing this, don't blame me for being rude!"

Zhou Zixuan was scolded by Director Zhang, but he didn't dare to refute a word and could only endure it silently.

Seeing this, Wang Xinxin quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Director Zhang, calm down. Zixuan is still a newcomer. Give him more time. I believe he will improve."

"Newcomer? Can being a newcomer be an excuse? Let me tell you, in this circle, no one cares whether you are a newcomer or a veteran. Everyone only values ​​your ability and work!" Director Zhang said mercilessly.

Director Zhang’s words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing Wang Xinxin’s last glimmer of hope.

She knew that Director Zhang was telling the truth. In this circle, no one cares who you are. Everyone only cares about your ability and work.

However, Zhou Zixuan was pushed in by the investors after all, so no matter how angry Director Zhang was, he couldn't really do anything to him.

(End of this chapter)